How To Identify A Genuine OPI Nail Polish:
The Bar Code/Scan Bar:
Real OPI polish will still have it's bar code (on the bottom of the bottle) in tact. Like this one.
The Serial Number Printed:
Somewhere on the bottle, usually the front (on top or bellow the OPI Logo) there will be a printed serial number.
The Serial Number Etched Into The Bottle:
And sometimes there is a serial number etched into the glass of the bottle. Usually at the top of the bottle
The Serial Number Etched Into The Handle:
Then other times you get the serial number imprinted into the handle. This usually occurs in conjunction with a printed serial number on the bottle.
Over All Look Of The Bottle:
Some have just one serial number.
While others have two numbers. Both printed and etched.
And this one got two serial numbers as well. One etched in to the handle one printed.
How Not To Identify Authentic OPI Polish:
Number of Icons on the back:
4 icons
3 icons
Basically the number of icons only indicates the number of restriction placed on the contents of the bottle at the time of production. It has nothing to do with whether the product is authentic or not. Merely a regulation based on what's inside the bottle. It will fluctuate with changing policies and changing ingredients. This should not figure into your decision making process.
Lid Texture:
This one is really textured.
This one is not textured as much.
Basically the amount or lack of texture doesn't prove anything...other than you have one lid that's bumpier than the other. So don't let this be a deciding factor.
And don't forget that the most obvious way to know if you have a genuine OPI is to ask yourself "Where did I buy it?" If the answer is: from a salon, or beauty store you are probably okay. Anywhere else and you have reason to question it. So I hope you now have all the tools you need to figure out if your OPI nail polish is a legitimate OPI or a diverted OPI product. I hope this helps you guys out. And I'm sorry I didn't include this in my previous post...I'm going to blame it on post vacation madness...Yes, that sounds believable...right? Anyway that's all I have for you today. Until next time, stay classy and stay polished.
XOXO
Hi ! I'm a bit confused about the differences with the diversion bottles. Are you saying that the displays in stores like Target, Kroger etc are NOT legit OPI products ? How can so many huge chain stores continue to sell them ?
ReplyDeleteSomeone is selling them to these type of stores - I can't believe that OPI is not on board with it. Seems like they would have to be. These aren't little mom and pop independent stores selling odd polishes from 8 years ago.
OPI's official stance on mass sellers (I.E. Target and Kroger) is this (a direct quote from the email they sent to me) "We sell them to distributors or wholesalers who sell exclusively in those channels. Those distributors, in turn, sell exclusively to salons." So if it is available at Target, or Kroger then it's diverted. They are not supposed to have OPI products as they are not authorized to sell them. Here's how the bar codes and serial numbers work. OPI makes X amount of bottles. Each bottle has it's own serial number. OPI says all serial numbers in a certain range go to this distributor, and all numbers in a different range go to another distributor. They track what bottles go where, by these serial numbers. If the serial number (and barcode) have been removed it's to keep OPI from knowing which distributor is selling where they are under contract not to sell. So they remove barcodes and serial numbers so it can't be tracked by OPI. Thus removing OPI's ability to track and to catch distributors in breaching contract (legal speak for unpleasant legal action taken against said distributor)and to stop diverted product. You can also check out my post full post on diversion as this is a supplementary piece to the original piece (here http://onyxnails.blogspot.com/2013/06/opi-cast-offdiversion-what-it-means-how.html) for more information.
DeleteIf you doubt OPI's sincerity in this matter (and since I can't physically show you the email they sent me on the topic)check their website (http://www.opi.net.au/diversion.shtml). Clearly they do not play around with diversion. And they do not intend for mass sellers like Target, and Kroger to have their products.